CHURCHILL ARMS

Venerable old timer the Churchill Arms almost disappears behind its floral baskets – it’s so flower-laden that your mum will wish she’d brought her camera. It even won a Boozers in Bloom award at the 2007 Chelsea Flower Show.

Inside it’s bric-a-bractastic, with enough Churchill memorabilia to render it a shrine, two open fires, and a firmament of chamber pots hung from the beams. Portraits of American presidents line one wall. Old fashioned, with lots of wood, lashings of charm, and no background music, it feels like it’s been transported from another age, from the English countryside, perhaps somewhere in Northumberland. At the bar, take your pick of Grolsch, Guinness, ESB, Chiswick and London Pride on tap, plus wines are very reasonably priced.

The back bar is lined by a collection of butterflies, and beyond this is the dining area, formerly the garage yard, full of light and space, its glass roof hung with a jungle of pot plants.

Yes, the Churchill is not just about the great British pub tradition, but has another string to its bow: this was one of the first London pubs to start serving Thai food, and is one of the best, with excellent, authentic curries and other spicy staples at pocket-friendly prices.

Such qualities have not gone unnoticed, and often the pub can get very busy – hauling in an eclectic, in-the-know crowd of Kensington cats, office workers and elderly local characters. You’ll need to book or wait for a table if you want to eat on busy nights.